Play along with your compact disk (CD) player to songs you like and want to learn. Your CD player allows you to play with the best, even when you are alone. The CD will never make a mistake, stop or care what you do or don’t do. It does not care if you make mistakes.
If you have a variable speed CD player you can change its speed to match your guitar pitch. This way, you do not have to re-tune the guitar to every new song you practice with.
When approaching a new song with your CD player, practice playing the melody (scales) to get a feel for the key changes in the piece you are practicing. Practice moving your fingers with the music. Playing with a CD will help you keep rhythm which is very important when playing live with other musicians.
When playing alone we have a tendency to lose rhythm, start, stop, and start over. No one else is there to be unhappy when we do these things. When playing alone, we are also less likely to try something new.
After you are comfortable with the melody and rhythm, playing with a CD allows you to pick up new “rifs” or “licks”. It allows you to use your creativity and imagination. Everyone can play the piece like it is on the CD. Instead, after you have learned the melody, harmonize with the CD player. Add depth to the music by doing something different. Expand!!! Let the way the music moves you guide your “licks”. Improvise!!! Enjoy!!! Play your new style over and over again, with the CD, until you are comfortable. Then you are ready to take it on the road.
Use this tool to create a new sound that you like. By improvising, you are letting YOUR music flow from your soul.
Michael Barden is a long-time guitarist and teacher. Please visit him at http://www.dontfretit.com to download Tips and Techniques – Book 1.
